The History of the Toothbrush

Although today’s modern toothbrush wasn’t invented until 1938, there is evidence of earlier forms of toothbrushes that date back as far as 3000 BC! The Library of Congress states in their Everyday Mysteries series that our ancient ancestors used “chew sticks” to keep their teeth clean. Long before the advent of drug stores and groceries, this was a simple tool made from a thin twig with the end frayed. When rubbed against the person’s teeth, it would mimic the action of the modern-day toothbrush. Even in the Early to Middle Bronze Age, residents of Egypt, Europe and elsewhere recognized the importance of dental health. But the toothbrush would come a long way from then to now.

From Wooden Twigs to Boar Bristles

The first modern bristle toothbrush first appeared in China in 1498. At that time, the bristles were made from the coarse, stiff hairs found on the back of a hog’s neck. These hairs were attached to handles that were constructed from bamboo or bone. The first Europeans to actively promote toothbrushes for public use were French dentists in the 17th and early 18th centuries. The first mass-produced toothbrushes were made around 1780 in England, by William Addis of Clerkenwald. Americans didn’t catch up for almost 80 years. In 1857, H. N. Wadsworth patented his idea for a toothbrush to be sold in the U.S., though mass production didn’t begin in this country until 1885. One of the earliest American companies to offer a toothbrush packaged in a box was The Florence Manufacturing Company of Massachusetts. They called their first toothbrush the Pro-Phy-Lac-Tic Brush.

The First Nylon Toothbrushes

The rugged boar bristle brushes were used as recently as 1938, when they were replaced by nylon bristle brushes, introduced by Dupont, leading innovator of new polymers. Doctor West’s Miracle-Tuft Toothbrush was the first nylon toothbrush to be introduced to the public. The well-disciplined oral hygiene habits of soldiers during World War II was a big influence in encouraging U.S. civilians to brush regularly. This got everyone on board with the new nylon brushes.

Today’s Toothbrushes

Today’s toothbrushes bear little resemblance to the bone and boar bristle brushes of the 1800s. The first electric toothbrush was introduced in 1939, developed in Switzerland. In America, the Squibb company, under the name Broxodent, introduced electric toothbrushes to the American market. General Electric came out with a rechargeable cordless toothbrush in 1961. Rotary action electric toothbrushes came on the market in 1987.

If you walk into a drugstore or supermarket today, you might be overwhelmed by all your toothbrush choices! You’ll have to decide whether you want natural or synthetic bristles, soft or hard bristles, and if you want brushes with different sets of angled bristles for a more thorough cleaning. You can also find brushes with angled handles to make it easier to get to those back teeth. And that’s not to mention all the various sizes and colors. Kids can even have toothbrushes that depict their favorite cartoon or television characters.

Whichever toothbrush you choose as your own, make sure you use it at least twice a day for healthy dental hygiene!

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